Time or time-control switch



May 23, 1939. H. G. HEIL 2,

TIME 0R TIME-CONTROL SWITCH Filed Feb. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l AT roman H. G. HEIL TIME OR TIME-CONTROL SWITCH Filed Feb. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iwwroa May 23, 1939.

5 K 4 Q m w y 1939- H. G. HEIL 2,159,085

TIME 0R TIME-CONTROL SWITCH Filed Feb. 19. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inuemoz. Huuzx G. Hen.

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Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in time switches and the primary object is to provide a device of this kind in an exceedingly simpie and practical form.

5 A further object is to provide a time switch in which the circuit controlling elements take the form of a rotating carrier having a light contact finger adapted to ride in a groove or grooves cut in a plate arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier. The plate, or the grooved portion thereof, is then coated with a film of insulating varnish or the like, and this film is scraped off or removed at whatever points in the grooves that it is desired to make contact with the contact finger. It is thus possible to locate these exposed portions of the grooves at any point in the travel of the carrier to predetermine the intervals and periods of time at which contact is made.

20 The foregoing and other more detailed objects of my invention will be pointed out more specifically in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein 25 Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved time switch.

Figure 2 is an enlarged diametrical cross section therethrough.

Figure 3 is an enlarged and fragmentary view 30 of the contact plate alone.

Figure 4 is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of a modified form of contact assembly for the switch.

Figure 5 is a diametrical cross section through 35 still another modified form. of contact assembly.

Referring now with more particularity to the drawings, in carrying out my invention I provide the casing or housing 6 in which is mounted a clock mechanism 1 (either mechanical or elec- 40 trical) having its driven shaft 8 extended upwardly through the top 9 of the housing. Electrical contact with the shaft 8 is made through a brush Ill and the extended strip II which is secured to the underside of the housing top and carries the terminal I2.

A fiat ring l3 of insulating material is mounted atop the housing 6 concentrically with the shaft 8, and serves as a support for a, metallic contact ring or disk M which is flat and substantially covers the ring [3. This contact ring I4 is mounted by screws I5, one of which is extended through the housing top 9 adjacent the terminal l2 to also serve as a terminal as indicated at [6. 55 This contact ring l4 also is cut in its exposed flat face with a spiral groove I! having a mean radius centered on the axis of the shaft 8.

A carrier or arm 18 is secured to the shaft 8 and is radially extended therefrom outwardly over the grooved face of the contact ring [4. '5 Adjacent its outer end the carrier it then carries a contact finger [9 which is extended in trailing position from the carrier relative to the direction of travel thereof, and the pivotal mounting connection 20 of which finger is located in about the 10' same plane radially as the mean radius of the groove II. The finger I9 is adapted to ride the groove I! in operation.

The margin of the contact disk M is preferably calibrated, as at 2|, to denote the intervals and period of time in which the carrier i8 makes one full revolution around the disk. However, this calibration may be of any desired time period other than that shown, and in accordance with the actual angular velocity of the moving parts.

For use in controlling a signal A, the switch, thus constructed, is connected to the signal by Wires B and C leading from the terminals i2 and I6, with a source of electrical energy D in series as shown. Thus connected, it will be evident that the circuit to the signal will be closed at all times while the finger I9 is in contact with the ring I 4.

Therefore, to prevent this contact between the finger I9 and disk 14, except at the desired time intervals, I coat the grooved face of the disk or the groove ll itself, with a film or coating 22 of insulating varnish or other readily applied insulating medium of a nature which permits of its being readily brushed on the disk. At the intervals, indicated by the calibration 2|, at which it is desired that contact be made, I then scrape off or otherwise remove the film 22 from the groove l1, so that as the finger l9 strikes these bared spaces 23, the contact will be made to the disk M to close the circuit to the signal A, as will be readily understood.

This coating of the contact disk with the film of insulation and leaving bare the desired spots or spaces at which contact is made in the manner described thus constitutes the essence of my invention. It is further of extreme importance in that the disk may thus be readily prepared for the specific time or switching intervals desired and may be subsequently used over and over again simply by removing the film by scraping or a solvent and reinsulating the disk as may be required. A further important advantage arises from this assembly in that the use of a very light 5 contact finger I9 is permissible and inertia is reduced to a very great extent.

The use of a spiral slot as herein shown and described permits of the switching action and selection of the circuit closing intervals during the course of several complete revolutions of the rotating parts with independent selection of intervals for each revolution. However, a closed circuit path or time circular groove may be used as and if desired.

Substitution of contact rings. may be readily carried out according to the requirement for different time intervals. This action may be facilitated by a plug-in mounting or other readily releasable mounting for the rings, in lieu of the screw mounting shown.

In Figure 4 the contact disk or ring Ma is shown as having two separate spiral grooves Ila and Nb and the carrier |8a has two separate contact fingers 19a and E91) so that two separate and distinct cycles of operation and control are possible with the one disk. Selection between the two may be made by adjusting either of the contact fingers to groove engaging position or by any other means suitable. Of course, any number of separate grooves and fingers may be used within the limits permitted by the size of the apparatus.

In Fig. 5 a stacked or multiple assembly is shown in which several separate contact disks [4c are superimposed in spaced relation and supported by spacers 24. Each disk is then engaged by a separate finger I90 extended from separate carriers I80 which are carried by the common shaft 80 and the assembly thus permits of the control of several separate circuits as may be desired. The disks may be of any desired number and have grooves of any form.

The uses of the switch in any of the forms herein shown, and other forms which may be devised, are manifold and include the time control of automatic signalling systems of all kinds, the time control of industrial processes, motors, etc. and other uses too numerous to mention.

While I have herein set forth certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it is understood that I may vary from the same in details so as best to provide a practical device for the purposes intended, not departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a device of the kind described, a flat base member, an electrically conductive operating shaft journaled medially and perpendicularly through this base member, an insulated conductor strip extended radially over the back of the base with its inner end electrically contacting the shaft and its outer end carrying a terminal, a flat insulation annulus anchored on the outer face of the base concentrically with the outer extended end of the shaft, a fiat metal contact annulus anchored upon the insulation annulus the same being grooved on its outer face concentrically with the operating shaft, the margin of the annulus being calibrated to denote time intervals, an electric terminal contacting the metal annulus and being extended through the insulation annulus and base member and protruded at the op posite side thereof, a conductor arm anchored at its inner end to the outer end of the operating shaft to rotate therewith and extended radially out over the face of the grooved metal annulus, a contact finger pivotally connected at one end with the outer end of the conductor arm the inner free end of the finger being adapted to be extended trailingly relative to the conductor arm rotating in either direction and to be located within the said grooves of the metal annulus to traverse same as the arm revolves, means for rotating the said operating shaft, and a removable insulation coating applied to the grooves of the metal contact annulus, whereby said coating may be removed at selected points of the grooves to close an electrical circuit through the contact finger and metal annulus.

HARRY GLENN HEIL. 

